I think Beat-Route must be one of the coolest names for a band ever. But
this band doesn’t just have a cool name. It is one of the most stylish,
smoothest and laid-back swing jazz combinations around.
Appearing at the Rhumbelow Theatre in Umbilo last week-end, they
displayed serious musical skills to go along with their showmanship and a great
sense of fun.
They performed as a seven piece on this occasion but, much to my
disappointment, without their extraordinary guitarist Gerald Sloan. However,
Beat-Route gives each band member a chance to shine and this they did with
aplomb.
The band featured two female vocalists, Zoe Masuku and Kerry Langley. They are both blessed with sultry and
sexy jazz voices. They blended perfectly together singing as a duo for songs
such as the show’s title song, Mr. Bojangles, an unusual jazz
arrangement of The House of the Rising Sun, and Hugh Masekela’s Grazing
in the Grass, which also featured some stirring double bass playing by
Logan Byrne.
Masuku also delivered The Look of Love (which
the band renamed The Look of Lunch apparently inspired by pianist George
Shearing) while Langley offered My Funny Valentine and At Last.
David Langley (the husband of Kerry) was
excellent on the upright piano - a real piano, for once – particularly when
performing The Entertainer, while Riley Giandhari on drums was a
revelation. His drum solos were sustained very energetic and quite brilliant.
Alone worth the ticket price.
The frontline of band leader Daniel Sheldon on
trumpet/flugel horn and the inimitable Tom Hare on saxophone came
into their own with numbers such as Tin Roof Blues, Muskrat Ramble
and their own composition, The Mealie Lover.
Mr Bojangles, dance is a most enjoyable
show. This is a band that enjoys what they are doing and this reflects in their
performance. It would be appreciated not only by jazz lovers but anyone who
enjoys good live music well performed.
Mr Bojangles is another in a long
line of excellent music productions which have been produced by the innovative
Rhumbelow Theatre in Umbilo. It may be situated in an old, rather quaint MOTH
Shellhole hall, but inside it is a modern theatre with the best in sound and
lighting equipment and is fully rigged for AV presentations. It has a casual,
friendly and easy-going ambiance which is an ideal for the music revue/tribute
type productions it presents.
The Rhumbelow is the last independent theatre
in Durban and needs to be supported and kept alive.
Mr Bojangles, Dance with Beat-Route has performances
scheduled for February 24 and 25 at 20h00 and on February 26 at 14h00 and 18h30.
Contact Roland for confirmation of dates and times.
Tickets R150 pp. Bring food picnic baskets (braais
will be available for those who wish to cook some meat). Bar available (no
alcohol may be brought on to the premises) and there is limited secure parking.
Booking is essential through Computicket or contact
Roland on 082 499 8636 or email : roland@stansell.za.net or events.durbantheatre.com
– Keith Millar
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